Finger bandage and method of making the same



March 20, 1962 w. M. SCHOLL 3,025,854

FINGER BANDAGE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Sept. 6, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet l March 1962 w. M. SCHOLL 3,025,854

FINGER BANDAGE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Sept. 6, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 2 71 I a? Maw/v n2 rm/ 044 United States Patent Ofiice3,025,354 Fatented Mar. 29, 1952 3,025,854 FINGER BANDAGE AND METHGD FMAKING THE AME William M. Scholi, 211-213 W. Schilier St., Chicago, Ill.Filed Sept. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 682,554 8 Claims. (Cl. 128-156) Thisinvention relates to improvements in a finger bandage and method ofmaking the same, and more particularly to a finger bandage highlydesirable for use as a medical or surgical dressing on the fingers,toes, hands, feet, arms, and various other parts of the human body tocover and protect various forms of wounds or afflictions, although theinvention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to oneskilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of small bandages, commonly referredto as finger bandages, have been provided, but where these bandagesembodied a pad, usually a piece of folded gauze to overlie the wound oraffiiction, such pad did not give as much cushioning and shockabsorbingeffect as desired, and such pads were not sufficiently waterproof.Frequently with bandages of the formerly known type where a waterproofbacking was utilized, the pad itself would become wetted while bathingand remain in a soggy condition, since the backing prevented effectivedrying. Further, bandages developed heretofore were not as flexible asmay be desired, and when placed on the inside of the joint would shortlybecome deeply grooved or wrinkled so as to improperly protect the woundor affliction and add materially to the discomfort of the user. Inaddition, it may be stated that bandages heretofore developed while manywere provided with perforations and in some instances the backing stripwas of relatively porous material the pad, especially if provided with amedicament, was not sufiiciently porous to provide adequate aeration forthe wound or affliction to enable quicker healing. Also, it may bementioned that bandages made heretofore were objectionably expensive,frequently so in construction, but more so by virtue of the fact thatthey had to be discarded and replaced too often.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instantinvention to provide a small bandage such as a finger bandage providedwith a pad to overlie the wound or affliction, which pad is highlyresilient and possesses great shock-absorbing powers to therebyeffectively protect the injury from accidental bumps or abrasions.

Also, an object of this invention is the provision of a finger bandageor the like provided with a pad to overlie the wound or aflliction, andwhich padnot only possesses high cushioning properties, but is alsoabsorbent and effectively aerates the afiiicted part.

A further object of the instant invention resides in the provision of afinger bandage or the like embodying a pad to overlie the afiiictedpart, which pad is made of such material as to be extremely quick dryingwhen wetted, so that in a very short time after wetting, the bandage isin the same condition as it was prior to wetting and there is no need toreplace the bandage with a dry one.

Also a feature of this invention is the provision of a finger bandage orthe like having a pad of foam-cushioning material thereon to overlie theafilicted area.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a fingerbandage or the like incorporating a pad of thermoplastic foam materialthat is extremely quick drying.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of afinger bandage or the like incorporating a cushioning pad ofthermoplastic foam material having intercommunicating cells whereby thepad is ventilated in character and completely aerates the afilicted areaat all times.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of afinger bandage or the like embodying a thermoplastic backing strip and athermoplastic cushioning element heat sealed to the backing strip alonga plurality of edges of the pad, the backing strip exclusive of the padbeing provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface for attachmentto the-body, if so desired.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a fingerbandage or the like embodying a backing strip having a pressuresensitive adhesive surface on one side, anda pad of foam materialsecured intermediately on the backing strip by said adhesive surface.

Still a further object of the instant invention is the provision of anew and novel method of making a finger bandage or the like.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bandageembodying principles of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the structure of FIG. 1taken substantially as indicated by the line 11-11 of FIG. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view, reduced in size, illustrating the underface of a bandage, and certain steps in the method of making thebandage;

FIG. 4 is a view similar in character to FIG. 3, but showing the underface of a bandage of slightly different construction and also indicatingthe method of making that bandage;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a bandage of still differentconstruction, but embodying principles of the instant invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, greatly magnified bottom plan view of a portionof the bandage of FIG. 5.

As shown on the drawings:

While the instant invention is herein referred to as a finger bandage,since small bandages are commonly known by such nomenclature, it will beunderstood that the bandage may be made in various sizes and shapes forsuitable application to various parts of the body other than the digits.Consequently, herein and in the appended claims, the term finger bandageis to be considered as inclusive of various shapes and sizes of smallbandages for application to various parts of the body.

In the first illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, as seen inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a finger bandage comprising a backingstrip 1 which is pref erably a thermoplastic film. Any suitablethermoplastic film may be utilized, such as a polyvinyl chloride film, acellulose acetate film, etc. Carried in an intermediate location,preferably centrally by the film, is a pad 2 which in use will bedisposed over the particular wound or affliction being treated. In thisembodiment of the invention, the pad is preferably a thermoplastic foammaterial capable of being heat sealed, and a polyvinyl chloride foam ishighly satisfactory for this purpose. The polyvinyl chloride foam is acellular foam, and the cells intercommunicate with each other and withthe cells on the surface, so that air may pass through the structure andadequately aerate the affliction over which the pad is disposed. At thesame time, the pad is highly resilient and has a great shock-absorbingpower.

The pad is preferably united to the backing strip 1 by way of heatsealing, such as high frequency electronic heat sealing. Opposite endsof the pad are preferably heat sealed to the backing strip to provideheat seal seams 3--3. Otheiwise, the pad is unsecured to the backingstrip and there is no adhesive utilized on the pad whatever. As seen inFIG. 2, the heat scaling is accomplished in such a manner that themarginal portions of the pad adjacent the heat seal seams 33 are curvedinwardly toward the backing strip 1 and decrease in thickness to a fineedge at the very heat seal scam, as indicated at 4. Thus, there is noabrupt elevation at the edge of the pad when it is in use, and thus, thepad can be of substantially any thickness desired, a V8 inch thicknessbeing satisfactory for most cases.

Beyond the ends of the pad, the backing strip 1 is provided with apressure sensitive adhesive surface, as indicated at -5 by means ofwhich the bandage may be attached to the body of the user. This pressuresensitive adhesive may be a rubber base adhesive and if used on thehuman body, preferably has a zinc oxide content. In order to protect thebandage until it is actually put to use, a pair of overlapping facingstrips 6 and 7 may be attached to the respective adhesive surfaces andare of sufficient extent to overlie the pad 2 as well. It is a simpleexpedient to pull off these facing strips when it is desired to use thebandage. The facing strips may be of any suitable material, such ascrinoline, an acetate film, or any other substance that will effectivelyprotect the adhesive surfaces until use, but are readily strippable fromthose adhesive surfaces.

It should also be noted that the film backing strip 1 is preferablyprovided with a plurality of perforations 3 in the portion overlying thepad 2 so as to provide adequate ventilation and aeration for theafiliction covered by the pad. These perforations may be as numerous asdesired and may extend through the pad itself, if desired, as shown inFIG. 2.

in use, the instant bandage is extremciy effective. it is simplynecessary to place the pad 2 over whatever afiliction is to be covered,and press the adhesive surfaced end portions of the backing strip intofirm engagement with the adjacent parts of the body. Should the wound beopen and running, the pad will absorb the discharge and prevent it frombeing carried onto the clothing of the used. Since the pad is absorbent,medicament may be placed directly in the pad, if so desired. The foamcushioning material of which the pad is made is highly resilient andpossesses great shock-absorbin properties whereby any accidentalstriking or rubbing against fixed objects will not, in most cases,aggravate the afiiiction. Further, since the pad has intercommunicatiugcells, whereby air may pass through the pad, and since the backing strip1 has the perforations 3 therein, there Will be adequate ventilation forthe afiiiction at all times to aid healing. It should also be especiallynoted that with the backing strip 1 of waterproof material, the body maybe washed over the part where the bandage is applied, and even thoughthe pad 2 may absorb water, a relatively light pressure upon the padwill force out most of this water immediately, and effective drying ofthe pad will only require a few minutes, whereby it is not necessary toremove the bandage and replace it with a new one in order to prevent thewound from having a wet application for several hours time. Stillanother important advantage of the instant invention resides in the factthat when the bandage is placed in a location where it is subject tobending, such as the inside of a finger joint or the like, there will beno objectionable wrinkling or constriction of the bandage, andparticularly no such wrinkling of the bandage that Will not immediatelycorrect itself when the joint is straightened. This is because the pad 2is not secured to the backing strip 1 except at the heat seal seams 33,and so relative movement may occur between the confronting surfaces ofthe pad and the backing strip. All in all, the bandage is of suchcharacter as to more effectively and properly protect a wound orailiiction than bandages of the same general character heretofore known.

The instant invention also lends itself to an economical process formaking the bandage. With reference now to FIG. 3, it will be seen thatit is simply necessary to lay out a sheet 1a of backing material and, ifthis sheet did not already have two spaced stripes of pressure sensitiveadhesive 5-S thereon, apply the adhesive in that manner to the backingstrip. An elongated strip 2a of cushioning material for the pads 2 maythen be placed upon the strip, and with suitable dies or rollers, andpreferably by an electronic high frequency process, heat seal seams 33are provided to effectively anchor the cushion strip 2a to the backingstrip between the adhesive areas 55. The heat sealing means arepreferably of such character and shape as to provide the rounded margins4- on the pad adjacent each heat seal seam. It is then only necessary tosever the assembly transversely as indicated by the dotted lines 9 inFIG. 3 to cut oif individual bandages of the character above described.

In FIG. 4, l have illustrated a bandage of slightly differentconstruction, and also indicated the method of making that particularbandage. This bandage is the same as that above described, with thesingle exception that the pad 2 is also heat sealed at its side edges asWell as at its end edges to the backing strip. As seen in the lefthandportion of FIG. 4, the pad will have heat seal seams 1i?1t) along theside margins of the strip in addition to the transverse seams 3--3. Themargins of the pad are prefer-ably rounded so as to curve with graduallydecreasing thickness toward the heat seal seams 1010, as well as towardthe seams 3-3.

In the making of this bandage, it is a simple expedient to lay out theassembly as described in connection with FIG. 3, and then simultaneouslywith or after the application of the heat seal scams 3, also providetransverse heat seal seams Na of substantially twice the width of theseams 3. This may be accomplished by utilizing a roller with properlyspaced ribs thereon.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, I have illustrated a still different form of theinstant invention, indicating how a bandage having a completely porousbacking strip may be made in accordance with principles of thisinvention.

The bandage seen in FIG. 5 includes a fabric backing strip 11 having apressure sensitive adhesive surface throughout as indicated at 12. A pad13, which may be of the same material as the pad 2 herein abovedescribed, is attached to the backing strip 11 and held thereto by thepressure sensitive adhesive surface 12. Suitable temporary protectiveelements 14 and 15, overlapping the pad, may be utilized to protect theadhesive surface 12 until it is desired to apply the bandage.

In this instance, however, the pad 13 need not be of thermoplastic foamof a character susceptible to heat sealing, but may be of substantiallyany desired type of foam cushioning material having intercommunicatingcells. Thus, 'it might be of polyurethane foam or even foam latex.

The backing strip 11 is preferably of a porous woven fabric of which theindividual threads may be of any suitable material, organic orinorganic. As seen best in the greatly magnified showing of FIG. 6,there are pores or openings 16 in the fabric itself, and this fabric isvery porous to air, although the pores may be sufiiciently'firie thatthe fabricwill not effectively pass liquid. It should also be noted thatthe adhesive 12 is preferably applied in such a manner as to leave openportions 17 therein at spaced intervals. Preferably, each opening 17 intheadhesive is of a greater size than a plurality of the pores 16 in thefabric backing. Thus, the adhesive itself is porous and admits air tothe body of a user, yet the fabric is of suificient fineness to screenout dirt and the like. Thus, the resultant bandage is porous throughoutits entire length and is desirable for use particularly with a personwhose skin is sensitive to with FIGS. 1 and 2, although it does not havethe nonwrinkling property of the previously described bandage, nor is itas effectively waterproof. It does have a different advantage, however,in that it is porous throughout its entire length.

Obviously, the bandage in FIG. 5 may be made in a method similar to thatabove described, it being only necessary to provide a sheet of backingmaterial covered with pressure sensitive adhesive having the openings 17therein, apply an elongated strip of cushioning material 13 across theintermediate portion of it, and then slice the assembly transversely tocut out individual bandages.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a new and novelbandage of the finger bandage type, possessing the advantages notcapable of production by similar bandages heretofore known, and also apractical and economical method of making such bandages.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be elfectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A finger bandage comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip and athermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip, a plurality ofheat seal seams securing edges only of said pad directly to said strip,the interfaces of the pad and the strip being unsecured so thatwrinkling is prevented where the strip is applied against a skin fold orthe like, air vent means in said strip in register with said pad andintercommunicating cells in said pad also communicating with said airvent means in said strip permitting said bandage to be dried bycompression thereof.

2. A finger bandage comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip and athermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip, a heat sealseam at each end edge of said end edges of the pad directly securingsaid pad to said strip, the pad and strip being unsecured between saidseams so that wrinkling is prevented where the strip is applied againsta skin fold or the like, air vent means in said strip in register withsaid pad and intercommunieating cells in said pad also communicatingwith said air vent means in said strip permitting said bandage to bedried by compression thereof.

3. A finger bandage, comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip, anda thermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip heat sealed tosaid strip entirely around said pad.

4. A finger bandage, comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip, anda thermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip defining withsaid strip means for aerating said pad, a plurality of heat-seal seamssecuring said pad to said strip by direct fusion of the pad and thestrip and with portions of the strip extending beyond the ends of thepad, and said strip carrying pressure sensitive adhesive on the portionsthereof beyond the ends of said pad.

5. A finger bandage, comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip, anda thermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip, a pluralityof heat-seal seams securing said pad to said strip along a plurality ofedges of the pad, said strip carrying pressure sensitive adhesive beyondthe ends of said pad, said strip being devoid of adhesive beneath saidpad, and said pad being free from said strip except at the heat sealseams to prevent wrinkling of the pad when the pad is applied against askin fold or the like.

6. A finger bandage, comprising a thermoplastic film backing strip, anda thermoplastic foam pad of lesser length than said strip, a pluralityof heat-seal seams securing said pad to said strip by direct fusion ofthe pad and the strip and with portions of the strip extending beyondthe ends of the pad, and said strip carrying pressure sensitive adhesiveon the portions thereof beyond the ends of said pad, said pad being muchthicker than said film strip, and the marginal portion of said pad beingcurved and decreasing in thickness to a fine edge at the heat seal seamareas thereof, said pad providing a plurality of intercommunicatingcells to aerate the same and said seams securing said pad in a manner tosubstantially prevent wrinkling thereof,

7. The method of making finger bandages, including the steps of placinga strip of thermoplastic foam intermediately on a wider strip ofthermoplastic film, heat sealing and directly fusing the strips togetheralong the side margins of the foam strip, applying pressure sensitiveadhesive to the film beyond the sides of the foam strip, and cuttingtransversely through the assembly to sever individual bandages alonglines perpendicular to the heat-seal seams formed by said heat sealing.

8. The method of making finger bandages, including the steps of placinga strip of thermoplastic foam intermediately on a wider strip ofthermoplastic film, heat sealing the strips together along the sidemargins of the foam strip, contemporaneously heat sealing the stripstogether to provide spaced transverse heat seal seams between the seamsat the side margins of the foam strip, applying pressure sensitiveadhesive to the film beyond the sides of the foam strip, and severingthe assembly transversely with the lines of cut passing centrallythrough the transverse heat seal seams to provide individual bandages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,145,755 Dickson Jan. 31, 1939 2,292,995 Greenwoll Aug. 11, 19422,560,712 Bell July 17, 1951 2,592,801 Hanington Apr. 15, 1952 2,626,886Scholl Jan. 27, 1953 2,734,503 Doyle Feb. 15, 1956 2,740,401 CrawfordApr. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 727,180 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1955

4. A FINGER BANDAGE, COMPRISING A THERMOPLASTIC FILM BACKING STRIP, ANDA THERMOPLASTIC FOAM PAD OF LESSER LENGTH THAN SAID STRIP DEFINING WITHSAID STRIP MEANS FOR AERATING SAID PAD, A PLURALITY OF HEAT-SEAL SEAMSSECURING SAID PAD TO SAID STRIP BY DIRECT FUSION OF THE PAD AND THESTRIP AND WITH PORTIONS OF THE STRIP EXTENDING BEYOND THE ENDS OF THEPAD, AND SAID STRIP CARRRYING PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE ON THEPORTIONS THEREOF BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAID PAD.